Tucked inside a building older than the state’s most famous mining booms, Red Dog Saloon has become Virginia City’s most surprising pizza destination. 🍕
This historic saloon blends Old West bar culture with genuinely great pizza, served as Ruby’s Pizza.
From tourists wandering off C Street to locals settling in for live music, this Comstock landmark has built a devoted following that goes well beyond its rock ‘n’ roll roots.
How Red Dog Saloon won Virginia City’s hearts
Red Dog Saloon’s story stretches back further than almost any other business in Virginia City, and its history alone would make it worth a visit even without the food.
The building itself dates to 1864, and the Red Dog name first appeared in 1965 when a group of San Francisco transplants transformed the space into a psychedelic rock club, with the Charlatans serving as house band.
That short but wild era left a permanent mark on music history. 🎶
The saloon became known as the birthplace of San Francisco-style rock and roll, hosting future legends like Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Jefferson Airplane before most of the world had ever heard their names.
After decades of closures, reopenings, and a stretch known mostly for pizza rather than music, current owners Loren and Sue Pursel took over in 2009 and brought the Red Dog fully back to life.
Under their ownership, the saloon built its food menu around Ruby’s Pizza, a build-your-own and specialty pizza program with more than a dozen named pies available in three sizes.
Regulars especially favor the loaded specialty pizzas, which pack on multiple meats and toppings rather than sticking to a single classic combination.
Add live music several nights a week, an open mic every Wednesday, and a genuinely gritty, historic atmosphere, and it becomes clear why this Virginia City pizza spot has earned such devoted local loyalty. 🤠
Food Highlights
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The Mucker: Canadian bacon, pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, black olive, onion, and bell pepper piled onto one loaded pie. 🍕
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Tommy Knocker: Mushrooms, black olive, onion, bell pepper, fresh tomato, artichoke heart, and garlic for a veggie-loaded specialty pie.
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The Islander: Canadian bacon and pineapple for a sweet and savory take on the classic Hawaiian-style pizza. 🍍
- The Comstocker: Canadian bacon, pepperoni, and Italian sausage for a classic three-meat combination named after the famous local mining lode.
- BBQ Chicken Pizza: BBQ chicken, green onions, mozzarella cheese, and cheddar cheese for a tangy, cheese-forward favorite. 🍗
- Gluten-Free Pizza: A gluten-free crust option available on the small size, letting guests customize toppings from the full Ruby’s Pizza lineup. 🌾
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The Miner: Canadian bacon, pepperoni, Italian sausage, salami, and bacon for a hearty, meat-packed specialty pizza. 🥓
Atmosphere
Red Dog Saloon leans fully into its Old West and psychedelic rock history, with a gritty, lived-in bar atmosphere that feels genuinely historic, not staged. 🎸
Live music fills the space several nights a week, with an open mic every Wednesday drawing local musicians and regulars alike.
The pizza-and-bar combination gives the space a dual personality, part rowdy saloon and part neighborhood pizzeria.
Families with young kids might prefer takeout, since the saloon’s energy can lean loud and boisterous, especially during live shows. 🤘
Bottom Line
Visit for Ruby’s Pizza and its loaded specialty pies, standout picks like The Mucker and Tommy Knocker, a genuinely historic Old West atmosphere, live music several nights a week, and a saloon that helped launch San Francisco’s rock scene. ✅
Address:
76 North C Street, Virginia City, NV 89440
📞 (775) 847-7474
🕔 Open Sun-Thu 11 AM–9 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM–11 PM (call ahead; hours vary by season)